News

News – out and about with Muddy Puddles Dorset, The Blandford Dog Walker

January 2016: Muddy Puddles Dorset Adds New Services for a Happy New Year!

As if we are not busy enough, we love helping you pawjuss animal owners so much, we have added two new services to our already full to bursting dog walking, house sitting, puppy and pet sitting services: Dogs at Weddings and Pet Taxi.

Enjoy your best friend at your wedding in 2016. Muddy Puddles Dorset will tailor a package to suit you, from a pre wedding walkies to take the edge of the excited pooch to photos at the Church and/or Reception, we will hold your dog’s paw all the way through the day so you can enjoy your dog at your wedding day in Blandford (or nearby) without worrying about walkies, toilet breaks, feeding or watering. Prices start at just £80, let us know what role you would like your dog to play at your wedding to allow us to personalise your dog wedding package to perfection.

Need to get to the vet but the car’s in the garage? Moving house but find there’s no room in the car for the dog or cat? Muddy Puddles Dorset pet taxi dog taxi service in Blandford offers a collection, wait, then return home safely for up to two dogs and one passenger. Or we can go unaccompanied. £15 for the first hour up to 5 miles, then 50p per mile thereafter, and then £15 per hour charged at 15 minutes or part thereof. We operate a specially adapted, air conditioned vehicle and transport animals in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and Highway Code 57.

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October 2015: Muddy Puddles Dorset will be closed for Christmas 2015

Here at Muddy Puddles Dorset, the Blandford Dog Walker, we have taken the difficult decision to close over Christmas this year. Our carers work up to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, we thought it only fair we should have some time off to enjoy our Christmas with family, friends and animals. Of course we will miss everyone terribly and will have a hard time knowing what to do with our time away from your gorgeous dogs, cats, puppies, kittens and horses!

Muddy Puddles Dorset will be closed from 5pm on 23 December 2015 until 9am on 02 January 2016.

Please note that Muddy Puddles Dorset does not offer home boarding for dogs, instead our fabulous service offers busy pet owners a professional and premium dog walking, cat feeding, puppy visiting, horse care service in Blandford and Blandford Camp, offering a tailored package to your individual pets’ needs. We can’t wait to start our fifth year of business with you all!

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September 2015: Muddy Puddles Dorset is up to date with Dog Law

Tracy Franklin from Muddy Puddles Dorset, the Blandford Dog Walker, is keen to keep her knowledge of all things dog up to date. Cue the chance to attend a seminar on Dog Law by expert Dog Solicitor Trevor Cooper of Doglaw UK in the New Forest on a September evening after two weeks of house sitting 12 dogs and 6 puppies.

Never one to let fatigue and distance get in the way of keeping her dog knowledge up to date, Tracy Franklin learnt:

The law on dog ownership

The new microchipping regulations (to include the responsibility of breeders and rescues) and collar/tag

The law on strays

Dangerous Dogs Act 1991

Dogs dangerously out of control

Breed Specific Legislation

Nuisance Dogs

Community Protection Notices

Public Spaces Protection Orders

Your dog’s safety and welfare is at the heart of everything we do. You will not find Muddy Puddles Dorset walking in public spaces such as The Milldown, The Trailway, Bryanston Woods, Stour Meadows or Larksmead. Instead The Blandford Dog Walker prefers to keep your dogs as safe as possible by dog walking in Blandford on private land or on quiet farm land. Trevor Cooper is an experienced dog law solicitor, Tracy Franklin is an experienced dog walker in Blandford. Hopefully their paths will never cross again (in the nicest possible sense!).

Muddy Puddles Dorset was delighted to be a part of the Dorset Dogs Festival 2015, a celebration of dogs, green spaces and the Dorset countryside. Dorset Dogs champions positive management of dogs in town, coast and countryside by promoting good ownership, through events, membership and the Doggy Do Code.

Dorset Dogs Festival 2015 brought together all that is good about dog ownership in Dorset. With the beautiful Upton House Country Park in Poole providing the back drop, Muddy Puddles Dorset was just one of the 30 plus exhibitors there on the day.

Muddy Puddles Dorset is only a small business with a marketing budget to match, so Tracy Franklin, owner of Muddy Puddles Dorset, was delighted to raise a whopping £85 for Margaret Green Animal Rescue simply through a 50p Guess The Number of Treats in the Jar and a £1 a go Tombola. And the team from Margaret Green Animal Rescue were there on the day of the Dorset Dogs Festival 2015 so Muddy Puddles Dorset, the Blandford Dog Walker, could hand the money straight over.

Our huge thanks to those who donated tombola prizes, bought tombola tickets, stopped to chat with Tracy Franklin from Muddy Puddles Dorset, the Blandford Dog Walker, and the kind customers who bought Tracy an ice cream on such a very hot day! We loved meeting every single dog who visited the stall, from Molly the Cairn Terrier to Rupert the Greyhound, they were all gorgeous and all welcome to have a drink and share some shade.

For more information about Dorset Dogs and all the work they do to promote responsible dog ownership in Dorset please visit http://www.dorsetdogs.org.uk – and tell them Muddy Puddles Dorset sent you!

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June 2015: Part Time Muddy Dog Walkers wanted in Blandford

Dog Walking Job: Muddy Puddles Dorset is a small but growing dog walking and pet care service in Blandford, Dorset. Our aim is to bring happiness to dogs and a 5 star customer service to their owners in Blandford and nearby villages. We have lovely, friendly, sociable and happy dogs on our books who love their walkies with us.

An exciting opportunity has arisen to work for Muddy Puddles Dorset as a part time Dog Walker in Blandford, to cover busy periods and holidays. Hours will be approximately 2 hours late morning Monday to Friday, for 2-3 weeks per month. There may be scope for more hours for the successful candidate.

The pros of being a Muddy Dog Walker in Blandford

Summer is on its way so working outdoors will be all the more enjoyable

Dogs are great fun, with their different personalities there will never be a dull walk

Dog walking is a great way to maintain or even increase your fitness level

The great outdoors makes a great office

You will be walking mostly on private land which makes controlling a group of dogs much easier

The cons of being a Muddy Dog Walker in Blandford

Summer is on its way so it is likely you will get rained on

Dogs’ different personalities can mean dogs can play up, sometimes

Dog walking is hard work and your legs may ache until you get used to it

The great outdoors makes a great office – even in the rain. Sorry, couldn’t think of a con for this one!

Our dog walking field can sometimes be shared with sheep, horses and cows!

If you love dogs, you will love this job. And you will receive on the job training from the business owner so as you know the Muddy Gang inside out before you are asked to walk them on your own. Here are some more things to be aware of:

You must love dogs and have experience of dogs

You will need your own transport suitable for dogs

You will be willing to be police checked

You should be physically fit

You should understand and practise positive reinforcement

You will be responsible for your own tax and NI as this is a self employed position

Sorry, no children can accompany you on your Muddy Walkies

If you are over 18, reliable, trustworthy, dog mad and interested in this post, please apply via email muddy@muddypuddlesdorset.com with your CV and a brief covering letter on why you would like to work for Muddy Puddles Dorset. Please note this is an ongoing position and NOT just a Summer job. We walk in Winter, too 🙂

Closing date for applications: 26 June 2015 GOOD NEWS! We have managed to extend the closing date for applications until 20 JULY 2015

On the job training starts: 03 August 2015

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April 2015: FREE PamPurredPets Vouchers

Do you live in Blandford? Do you mind if your dog has a better social life than you do? Then you should take advantage of our newest special offer for new customers. Word to the wise: This offer ends at the end of May 2015 so swift action is recommended!

– FREE £5 PamPurredPets Voucher when you book and pay for 5 of more dog walks in one month

– FREE £20 PamPurredPets Voucher when you book and pay for 15 or more dog walks in one month

Our customers say how much more confident, happy, tired, content and socialised their dogs are – they love their Muddy Walkies. Our customers also love that we walk somewhere different to their usual walkies, dogs are never bored in our company or in the company of their doggy friends. Try us, Love us! And get your best doggy pal some lovely goodies from PamPurredPets in Blandford for FREE, courtesy of Muddy Puddles Dorset. But do claim before 31 May 2015! Email us to find out how to claim your free voucher muddy@mudypuddlesdorset.com

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August 2014: Muddy Puddles Dorset’s Dog First Aid Course has more dogs than humans… almost!

What do you get when Muddy Puddles Dorset organises an event for professional dog walkers and trainers? A car park full of huge vehicles full of dogs! Although the Dog First Aid Course in Blandford, Dorset, organised by Muddy Puddles Dorset, was for humans only, of course nobody could leave all of their dogs at home. When we arrived, during the break, at lunch and when it was home time, we had great fun socialising the dogs on the lawn of the venue – and the dogs loved it , too!

That aside, we now have 16 more qualified canine first aid professionals milling around Dorset, thanks to Muddy Puddles Dorset and Dog First Aid for Professionals who led the course.

We learnt how to, on a dog, conduct a full body exam, check pulse and heart rate, check temperature, check respiratory rate, perform CPR, stop and dress a bleed, apply pressure bandages, treat shock and anaphylactic shock, treat burns and scalds, what to do when your dog is poisoned, how to deal with eye injuries, heat stroke, how to prevent heat stroke, help a dog who is choking and administer dog first aid in a road traffic accident.

Muddy Puddles Dorset now has a certificate to back up her first aid skills, and all those we work with are now also officially canine first aid trained. Not only are your dogs transported to their walkies in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and Highway Code 57, they are now also in the care of qualified canine first aiders. With all the love, attention and cuddles that are part and parcel of our Muddy Puddles Dorset daily dog walking duties in Blandford, Dorset!

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July 2014: Muddy Puddles Dorset is organising a Dog First Aid Course in Blandford Forum, Dorset, on 9th August 2014

Find out what you can do in an emergency to potentially save a dog’s life. Muddy Puddles Dorset is teaming with Dog First Aid to deliver a unique half day Dog First Aid course in Blandford Forum, Dorset, on Saturday 9th August 2014.

The Dog First Aid course complies fully with The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966.

What you can expect …
– a half day course in a relaxed, friendly group of like minded people
– your Dog First Aid Certificate (providing your trainer is happy that you have fully understood the course content)
– to learn hands on up-to-date techniques that could potentially save lives in an emergency situation

Although designed for those who work with dogs, it is of equal use and importance to any dog owner who wants the knowledge to act competently in a dog first aid emergency.

TO BOOK and for more information please email muddy@muddypuddlesdorset.com We will be pleased to get back to you with payment instructions to reserve your place and answer any questions.

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April 2014: Muddy Puddles has been chosen to run the Dog Creche at Woofstock UK 2014

“If you are a dog or you are a human who has a dog, wants a dog, loves all things dog, then Woofstock UK is the place for you. On 13 September 2014 we will be holding a festival by dogs for dogs where you can come and listen to some great music, visit some great stalls and join in with some great events.” Muddy Puddles Dorset and fellow pet care professionals, Ministry of Dog, have been hand picked to run the dog crèche at Woofstock UK. Chosen from other hopeful applicants, Muddy Puddles Dorset and Ministry of Dog will provide a safe, happy, play-filled environment for your dog at Woofstock UK while you take a small break to enjoy the delights on offer. To find out more about this dog friendly event taking place in Marnhull on 13 September 2014 – and how your dog can get an edible ticket on the day – take a look here: www.woofstockuk.co.uk. Can’t wait to see you there!

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February 2014: Muddy Puddles Dorset is recruiting

We’re looking for the best! If you are a conscientious adult with at least fifteen years’ experience with pet handing, then have you considered becoming a self employed house sitter?

Muddy Puddles Dorset house sitting service is for the discerning animal owner who doesn’t want to leave their dogs in kennels or cats in a cattery and would instead prefer them to stay in the comfort of their own home, in a routine they know, with someone who loves them as their own. Our house sitting service is growing and we would like to hear from energetic, reliable, animal loving people to join us. If you are a non smoker, are willing to share your police check with us, be available for up to six weeks of the year to stay anything from a weekend to a month at a client’s home in Dorset, 20 hours out of 24 (we do not leave animals in our care for longer than four daylight hours but understand you have things to do) and are self employed, we’d love to hear from you!

In return you get to stay at some beautiful properties with the most wonderful animals and get paid. Demand for Muddy Puddles Dorset animal and house sitting service is growing and you can help us stay ahead of the demand.

December 2013: Muddy Puddles Dorset can help with your pet care needs over Christmas and the New Year

This time of year may leave you short on time to visit friends, go shopping for the day or take a holiday, especially if you have the animals at home to think about. This is where Muddy Puddles Dorset can help. Our dog walking, cat feeding and pet care service in and around Blandford means Muddy Puddles Dorset can socialise the dog, play with the cat, muck out the horse or even hay the sheep while you are busy.

Muddy Puddles Dorset is available over Christmas and the New Year to help take care of your animals.

To find out more about Muddy Puddles Dorset dog walking, cat visits and pet care services in and around Blandford over Christmas and the New Year as well as how much it costs, how to get in touch and how lovely we are, it’s all listed here.

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September 2013: Muddy Tombola helps to raise over £600 for the Royal British Legion Blandford Branch

Tracy Franklin from Muddy Puddles Dorset, The Blandford Dog Walker, was invited by the Royal British Legion Blandford Branch to take part in their Blue Light Day in Blandford this September. The police and fire brigade were in attendance for children to ask questions of and see a chip pan fire demonstration; there was face painting, a disco, classic, american and subaru car show, bouncy castles and even a stilt walker! We ran the Muddy Tombola where doggy prizes were raffled and all proceeds went to the Royal British Legion Blandford Branch.

Tracy from Muddy Puddles Dorset said, ‘I wanted to take part as I feel it is important that people know more of the Royal British Legion than just the Remembrance Day marches. The organisation makes an incredible and very real year-round difference to both serving and ex-service personnel and their families.’

The day raised a very respectable £616 for the Royal British Legion Blandford Branch and Tracy was delighted the tombola made up part of this money. ‘Blandford is a Garrison town,’ Tracy adds, ‘And we are all proud of the work our soldiers do for our country.’

Muddy Puddles Dorset took the Muddy Gang to the local dog show, Spetisbury Church Fete, and had some fun entering the novelty dog classes.

Judged by Damory Vet David Harding, Muddy Puddles Dorset HQ Guest for the weekend Holly the Wonderdog came a delightful 1st in the Best Veteran Class, while Snoopy Saluki took a bumper crop of 2nd place rosettes for Best Rescue, Most Handsome Dog and Dog the Judge Would Like to Take Home.

The puppy class was great fun to watch, even though they had to be over 6 months to enter they were still an unruly bunch and made the audience laugh with their playful antics. And Muddy Boy Harry came a very respectable 5th in the puppy class!

The Muddy Gang had brilliant fun in spite of the rain and, ribbons and donated prizes from Healthy Pets of Blandford aside, the proceeds from the Fete and dog show went to the very deserving Cats Protection League. Oh, and Tracy Franklin from Muddy Puddles Dorset was very excited to win a prize on the Tombola – a can of Tesco baked beans!!!!!

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July/August 2012: Ambassador but no Ferrero Rocher

Muddy Puddles Dorset’s Tracy Franklin has been selected as a volunteer Ambassador for Weymouth and Portland during the 2012 Olympics. Tracy was delighted to be selected as a volunteer Ambassador during the Games in Weymouth and Portland and was even more delighted when she received her pink uniform!

“I wanted to be a part of the Olympics when they came to Weymouth and Portland” said Tracy, “This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience an event of this magnitude, to be a part of it, and to say *I was there*. Team GB has made us all feel very proud this summer.”

Volunteer Ambassadors are the smiley face of the Games in Weymouth and Portland. Positioned all around town and on the Live Site on the beach, they are there to lend a hand or give information or just chat to the thousands of visitors to Weymouth and Portland this summer. Tracy is in her element!

Message to Weymouth and Portland Ambassador Volunteers from David Clarke, Chief Executive of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council.

I am writing to all of our Olympic Ambassadors to pay tribute to the fantastic contribution that you are making. You have become the helpful and smiling face of the Olympics in Weymouth !

In Weymouth and Portland, we promised to deliver not only a stunning location but also a quality visitor experience– this promise has already been delivered and, I would like to say, in my view, exceeded. The visitors are taking home with them a really positive memory of Weymouth and we hope they will decide to come and visit us again.

I am absolutely sure that your role as Ambassadors is paying a huge part in this success. I have heard nothing but praise from local people and from visitors about your contribution, be it giving out information, directions or just helpful advice and reassurance.

I would like to thank you for the commitment which I know is involved.

Please keep up the good work ! You are now a key part of driving the Olympics forward so successfully.

David Clarke

Chief Executive

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council

3rd August 2012

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June 2012: Why not give friends and family the day off from their pets

My but we’ve had a busy time of people requesting dog walking and money off vouchers for their friends and family! It’s taken a while but we’ve finally got there and we’re delighted to announce that gift vouchers are now available. With a dog walk in Blandford starting at £11 for one hour and a dog, cat or pet sit starting at just £7.00 (don’t forget, you must like our Facebook page before you can get these lovely prices), what better gift than to give them a day off from the animals! We even do vouchers for overnight house sits if they want to go out for the night – or the weekend – to celebrate their big day. Email us at muddy@muddypuddlesdorset.com to order yours now!

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May 2012: We’re getting so popular, we’ve had to add a new Blandford dog walk time to the timetable!

Muddy Puddles Dorset has always strived to help all dog owners in Blandford and surrounding areas if they are at work, on holiday or even getting married! We love a good wedding!

A lot of our customers have expressed a need for their dogs to be walked as near to lunch time as possible. Lunch is our busiest time of day for dog walking in Blandford but we think we have come up with the next best thing – an 11.30am walk for one hour. This one hour dog walk at 11.30am in Blandford Monday – Friday is just enough time for you to be happy your dog is in a walk, at midday, without the lunch time walk premium. At just £11 per hour in return for a ‘like’ on our Facebook Page, is it any wonder we already have some dogs booked?

We aim for all the dogs in our care to come home happy, relaxed, socialised; and many are still fast asleep when their mum or dad comes home a few hours later. Here at Muddy Puddles Dorset we love trying to wear out your dog during our Blandford Dorset dog walking and we never shy from the challenge!

We are a happy pack and welcome sociable, non aggressive, vaccinated and neutered dogs. Any size, any colour, any shape, any breed – we at Muddy Puddles Dorset love them all!

See the Muddy Puddles Dorset prices page for more details on times and prices for dog walking, dog, cat and pet sitting, house sitting, smallholding sitting, pet wedding chaperone in Blandford and in Dorset.

‘Do You Speak Dog?’ took place on 22 April 2012 in Blandford. Delivered by Pam Shaw, expert Canine Communicator, the aim was to allow dog owners a greater understanding of their dog’s needs and wants in order to become a better owner and, in turn, produce a better behaved, well rounded pet dog.

The Ami Chien Bonding Technique does not condone heavy handed techniques to train dogs. You will never find Tracy from Muddy Puddles, Bobby from Bob Tails or Pam Shaw using shock collars, prong collars, halties, raised voice or raised hand. The system is built on a mutual respect of both dog and human so we can live together, side by side, happy in the knowledge each knows their place in the pack and will behave accordingly.

The charity raffle saw generous donations from Blandford Studios and Allinghams Pet Supplies and lucky guests won a photo shoot for their pets worth over £100 as well as vouchers for £150 to use at Allinghams in Blandford.

A delighted Tracy from Muddy Puddles Dorset said “It was great to receive such positive comments from our guests, we achieved exactly what we set out to do – we gave dog owners food for thought to help them understand how they can enjoy a better, more fulfilling relationship with their dogs. And, for the icing on the cake, we raised over £200 for Margaret Green Animal Rescue and Rushton Dog Rescue. These two charities are close to my heart as my old boy came from Margaret Green and Snoopy Saluki from Rushton. These guys do such a great job I was keen we give something back.”

Pam Shaw also donated her fee to the two charities. “I work closely with charities to help them rehome their ‘difficult’ dogs. It seemed only right I should give my fee to Margaret Green and Rushton Dog Rescue, after all, for me, it’s all about the dogs.”

Tracy from Muddy Puddles Dorset hopes to organise more events in Dorset with Pam Shaw. “If we can educate just a handful of dog owners, that’s an extra handful of dogs who will benefit. That has to be worth it!” said Tracy.

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April 2012: Muddy Puddles Dorset has reached the final in the Venus Business Women Awards in the New Business Award category.

Following the announcement that we had been shortlisted to five out of twenty eight businesses entered in the NatWest New Business Award category of the Venus and Langtry Manor Business Women Awards, Muddy Puddles Dorset is delighted to announce that we have successfully reached the top three – yes, we’re in the final!!

Over 1,000 nominations were received across the categories and from the 28 businesses nominated in the New Business Award, Muddy Puddles Dorset was shortlisted to five and then, following an interview with NatWest Business Banking East Dorset, Tracy received the news that Muddy Puddles Dorset made it through to the final three.

The winner will be announced at the Dorset Awards Ceremony at the Langtry Manor Hotel in Bournemouth on 17 May 2012. Keep your fingers crossed for us, we haven’t been this excited in a long time!!

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March 2012: Muddy Puddles Dorset has been shortlisted in the Venus Business Women Awards in the New Business Award category.

Muddy Puddles Dorset was started by Tracy Franklin in October 2011 after her job fell victim to government cuts. Unable to find a job she really wanted to do, Tracy decided to help other pet owners towards a work/life balance, allowing them to go to work or on holiday safe in the knowledge their pets will be looked after, socialised, exercised and kept happy in their owners’ absence. Muddy Puddles Dorset was born.

Now, 5 months later, Tracy has an array of clients from guinea pigs and rabbits to event horses and retired horses, Jack Russells and Cockerpoos to Collies and German Shepherd Dogs. She is even organising a series of dog psychology events, Do You Speak Dog, the first one of which is taking place in Blandford on 22 April.

”My life has changed completely,” says Tracy, ”and I love running Muddy Puddles Dorset. I walk dogs for 5 hours each day, the rest of the days are taken up with horses and pet sitting, the evenings with Do You Speak Dog event planning and business admin, and the weekends are given over to weddings and house sits. It’s hectic but it’s wonderful! With over 1,000 nominations across the award categories I am thrilled to be shortlisted to the final five in the New Business Award for doing something I enjoy so much.”

The Venus Awards has been set up to recognise, reward and inspire women business owners across Dorset and Southampton. With a total of 1,338 nominations the judging is underway and culminates in the Dorset Awards Ceremony at the Langtry Manor Hotel in Bournemouth on 17 May 2012.